Costus Root Oil

Saussurea lappais is known as costus in English. It is a tall shrub having an annual stem and perennial roots. The leaves of the tree are heart shaped with bluish purple flowers and hairy fruits. The odour of the oil is soft but tenacious it is described as green hairy woody odour of unripe melons. Costus extracts have been manufactured in France and a few other countries in a smaller scale for several years.

Costus Root Oil offers a very musky and woody aroma is compared to human hair or fur smell. It is used in products such as incense burnt in temples. Costus Root Oil has been used to make massage oils, deodorants, washing detergents, air fresheners, perfumes, hair oil, bath oils and soap making.

USES

Costus root oil has been used to make perfumes. It is effectively used as a fixative and fragrance component in cosmetics. The oil is also used to provide flavour to drinks and confectionery. It is widely used in chocolate making industries as a flavouring agent. The oil induces warm, woody and natural notes in preparing perfume.

The oil is used by the people of Kashmir shawl merchants to protect their products from moths.